Kieran Dowell has been blown away by the atmosphere at the City Ground – and believes Nottingham Forest are capable of blowing away opposition sides on the banks of the River Trent too.

The on-loan Everton player says he was not prepared for the level of backing Reds fans provide – or for the volume levels when they launch into their traditional pre-match song.

And he believes that can continue to play a key role as they look to shoot down promotion favourites Wolves when they come to town this weekend.

Even amid their struggles last season, Forest had a fine record against the top Championship sides at the City Ground – and attacking midfielder Dowell says they have the quality to maintain that, as they continue their development under Mark Warburton.

“It has been unbelievable. I have said already that the Mull of Kintyre song at the start – it gives me goosebumps every time,” said Dowell, who will spend the season on loan with Forest.

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“I did not realise that clubs got that kind of support in the Championship. It has been overwhelming.

Forest celebrate Kieran Dowell's goal against Brentford

“The lads have been talking about the record we have against the top teams at home. You saw with Middlesbrough the other week – we do tend to do well against the top teams and we want that to be the case again, against Wolves. We want to win and I think we will.

“We have every chance to be pushing for promotion ourselves.

“It is going to be a really good atmosphere at the City Ground and I can’t wait for it. They are a good side who have made a good start.

“It will be two big teams going at it, I hope it will be a good game of football. It will be nice to be back at home, after a few away games.”

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“I have scored goals, but it is about playing well in every game. I want to get a few more goals and push for promotion with the team, if I can.”

The 19-year-old has started four Championship games, along with three sub appearances, and scored what turned out to be the winning goal at Brentford, back in August.

“The games are thick and fast, so it is about recovery and preparation,” said Dowell. “It has been great so far, we got off to a really good start.

“We have had loads of games; it has been more games than I was used to. It was a bit of a shock to the system at first. But I have already become more robust and I am getting through 90 minutes.

Mark Warburton with David Weir

“It is my first bit of real professional football, as well as living on my own in Nottingham. It has all been a whirlwind – but I have loved every minute. It is physically tough, but it is nothing more than I wanted – this is what I came here to do.

“Straightaway after the game on Tuesday I was saying to the other lads that I could not wait for the next game on Saturday. It is thick and fast, but it has been good.”

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Forest face Premier League champions Chelsea in the third round of the EFL Cup next Wednesday, in a game that will give them a taste of the kind of challenge they hope to face every week, if they can secure promotion.

“We have not really looked at the Chelsea game, because the games have come thick and fast. But that is what we want in future. We want to be playing clubs like that in the Premier League,” said Dowell. “It will be a good test for us and for me in particular.

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“There might have been a bit of a downer either side of the international break, with the two losses. But that happens. In the Championship, it is about getting a bit of consistency. Asides from that little blip, we have been top drawer so far.

“We proved in Sunderland that we can mix it. If we want to play, we can outplay any side. If the opposition want a fight, we can give them a fight as well. We have proved that against Sunderland now.

“I spoke to the gaffer and David Weir and they just told me that, when I get the ball, that is the moments where we can change a game.

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“They are not worried if it is a scrappy game and I am playing off scraps. It is the moments when I get the ball that I need to make count.

“It can be very frustrating, but I am here to learn and I have learned a lot already.

Barrie McKay came off the bench at Sunderland (Image: Dan Westwell)

“I have learned to adapt my game to how things are going. It can’t all be tippy-tappy football, you need to be unselfish with your runs and movement sometimes.

“It is about getting games under my belt and, with Forest, we will get more of the ball than we might at other teams. I have come off the pitch after a few games thinking that I was happy to be coming back into our dressing room and not their dressing room.”

Forest kept a timely clean sheet against Sunderland in midweek – but it is the Reds’ attacking threat that has Dowell feeling optimistic.

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“It is great to have Daryl (Murphy) up front, because he only needs one sniff of goal and he is likely to score,” said Dowell. “If we can keep it tight at the back, I think we are always likely to score goals with the players we have got.

“The lads are quality in the dressing room. Barrie (McKay) came off the bench and made an impact – which is a sign of the squad we have. We have quality in abundance.”

If that quality shines through this weekend, Forest might give fans the reason to crank up the volume levels again, after the final whistle.